To scallop or not to scallop on my Ruger RSM?

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17 January 2015, 07:15

Austin Hunter

To scallop or not to scallop on my Ruger RSM?

I'm in the process of refinishing the stock on my 375 H&H Ruger RSM. I've stripped the stock of the factory finish and horrible checkering. It has mineral spirits on it in the pic below to show the grain. I replaced the factory metal crossbolt last year with ebony plugs over a 1/4x20 threaded stainless steel rod.

Question - should I scallop the in front and behind the magazine well on both sides? Or will that be to aggressive for this style of stock? Has anyone refinished their RSM stock and made major mods?

I'm going to have Custom Diamonds checker it.

I'm also installing a red recoil pad.

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17 January 2015, 08:45

zimbabwe

I dislike the Ruger bolt handle shape and stock cut for it. I put a longer straight teardrop handle and filled the stock cutout with a nice piece of ebony to match the forearm tip. Then just thinned the stock overall and installed Pachmyer Decellerator pad. If I could have figured a way to modify the safety and trigger guard I would probably still have it as it was a terrific shooter. It was also a 416Rigby.

17 January 2015, 09:17

Austin Hunter

Not the prettiest rifles, but extremely functional and great shooters!

Mine is also bedded and has a trigger job. The trigger from the factory is 100% certified POS.

I also used Warne rings instead of the factory rings; much better quality and the factory rings were not 100% inline with the barrel centerline.

17 January 2015, 15:41

Clayman

If you're just asking opinions, I'd say scallop it on both sides, or at least in front of the magazine box for sure. I've always felt the forends on these rifles were a bit too thick and could use some trimming.

17 January 2015, 19:30

BigUglyMan

quote:
Originally posted by Clayman:
I've always felt the forends on these rifles were a bit too thick and could use some trimming.

Especially for a 375.

I'll be interested to see how this project goes. Keep us posted.

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20 January 2015, 08:36

clayman216

I had my RSM 375 H&H redone by Justin Sip. He thinned the forearm area and took the squareness out and then hand checkered it. I have received more compliments on that rifle than my others. It also shoots sub MOA. The checkering pattern is close to the original but
done by hand, 22 LPI.